Balanced Crystalloids versus Saline in Noncritically Ill Adults
2018 · paper · Clinical trials
A single-center trial comparing balanced crystalloids with saline given in the emergency department to 13,347 adults later hospitalized outside intensive care. Hospital-free days did not differ, but major adverse kidney events were less frequent with balanced crystalloids (4.7% vs 5.6%).
1 finding
Wording Results p.6 say "the adherence to crystalloid assignment were similar in the balanced-crystalloids and saline groups (Table 2...)", but Table 2 shows 100% adherence in 5620 (83.8) vs 6160 (92.8) and 0% adherence in 320 (4.8) vs 78 (1.2).
- p. 6 Results, Crystalloid Treatment
the adherence to crystalloid assignment were similar in the balanced-crystalloids and saline groups
- p. 15 Table 2, 100%: per-protocol population row
5620 (83.8)
- p. 15 Table 2, 0% row
320 (4.8)
- p. 6 Results, Crystalloid Treatment
to crystalloid assignment were similar in the balanced-crystalloids and saline groups
Only the authors can say what is right here.
Judge's note: Checked the page 6 text and the page 15 image of Table 2. Volumes are similar (mean 1608 vs 1597 ml), but full adherence differs by 9 points and full non-adherence by about four-fold. 'Similar' misdescribes adherence; it is accurate only for volume. Nothing elsewhere in the paper explains this. Wording issue, so S3; the authors should rephrase.
Second check: another model agreed
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2 minor (typos and the like; most checked by the judge only)
Wording "absolute difference of 0.9 percentage points ... corresponding to a number needed to treat of 111" is 1/0.009 from the rounded difference; the Table 3 counts (315/6708 vs 370/6639) give a difference of 0.877 points, i.e. an NNT of about 114.
- p. 7 Discussion, second paragraph
corresponding to a number needed to treat of 111
- p. 16 Table 3, major adverse kidney event row
315 (4.7)
Judge's note: Checked the p.7 Discussion and the Table 3 image on p.16. The NNT of 111 matches the reciprocal of the rounded 0.9-point difference rather than the unrounded proportions. The paper reports no model-based risk difference. The gap is small, so this is an observation.
Second check: another model agreed
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Typo Subject–verb disagreement: "The chloride concentration in physiologically balanced crystalloids ... are more similar to that of human plasma" (singular subject, plural verb).
- p. 2 Introduction, paragraph 1, last sentence
and Plasma-Lyte A (98 mmol per liter), are more similar to that of human plasma
Judge's note: Page 2 image (crop C001-a) shows the sentence as quoted. The head noun is 'concentration', which is singular, so the verb should be 'is'.
Second check: none (judge only)